I have just been informed of the death of Laurence Grech (1948-2026), a lifetime friend ever since we first met at Strickland House in 1973.
Laurence always took a great interest in my academic work on Church and tate in Malta. He often give me valuable advice and invited me several times to write contributions for The Sunday Times of Malta.
Laurence was a great help when I needed copies of my books to present to Pope John Paul II in Rome. He took care that Dr. Guido de Marco handed me the copies I needed at the famous Cafe Greco.
During my various stays in Malta we kept on meeting. I visited him during my last visit to the island when he was in the Mater Dei Hospital. When I left him there I could not help having a bad feeling about Laurence’s health condition.
We kept in touch via WhatsApp. His last two apps were: ‘Still undergoing test and feeling weaker, affecting my mobility. Need prayers’ and ‘Huge loss of appetite and have mobility problems’.
Farewell dear friend,
My sincere condolences to Mrs Lilian Grech, his sons and everybody who mourns the loss of Laurence.
(originally posted on Facebook, 15th Fevruary 2026)